Vuelta a Espana 2025 - Prediction stage 9

Sunday Augsut 31 2025: Stage 9 - Alfaro Templario > Valdezcaray (195.5km, mountaintop finish) 

The ninth stage of the 2025 Vuelta a España will be held on Sunday, August 31st, covering 195.5 kilometers from Alfaro to the Valdezcaray ski resort in the La Rioja region. The first part of the stage is typically flat in Spain, with hardly any categorized climbs, making it a favorite for early breakaway riders and those seeking peace and quiet in the peloton.

The real challenge lies in the final section: the long climb to Valdezcaray is the highlight of the day. This final climb is over 13 kilometers long with an average gradient of 5%, with the most challenging section at the beginning. The approach to this climb is largely uneventful, although almost 3,300 meters of elevation gain must be taken into account throughout the stage.

Given the profile, a strong breakaway is expected to have a chance of competing for the stage victory, especially since many GC riders want to save themselves for the second week. Only on the final climb towards the ski resort will the GC riders break through, primarily to avoid losing valuable seconds. This scenario offers room for attackers, but the general classification could still shift slightly due to any differences at Valdezcaray, especially with the rest day approaching.

Historically, the Vuelta has finished in Valdezcaray seven times before, with stage wins for riders including Sean Kelly and Fabio Parra. The finale will therefore visit familiar climbing grounds for the Spanish peloton.

📺Eurosport 1 (14:45 u), Sporza (15:50 u)
⏰12:37 u
🏁17:15 u
⛅️Stormy, light wind, 17 graden